The Book of Elsewhere is a collaborative effort between Keanu Reeves and China Miéville, and is a genre-bending epic that ventures into the realms of ancient powers, modern warfare, and the existential struggles of an immortal outcast. Inspired by the world of the BRZRKR comic books, this novel gives a unique blend of sci-fi military thriller and philosophical exploration.
At the heart of the story is Unute, or simply ‘B’, an 80,000-year-old warrior who cannot die. He has witnessed the rise and fall of countless civilizations, yet despite his immortality, B’s greatest desire is to find a way to die. In the present day, a US black ops group offers him this chance, but in return, he must help them with their own agendas to experiment on him in the hopes of creating a super soldier. However, when a mortal soldier is violently killed and inexplicably comes back to life while out on an operation, B realises that he may not be truly alone in his unique life experience…
Reeves and Miéville’s collaboration results in a deeply immersive and trippy exploration into the cult genre of ‘weird fiction’. Miéville’s signature style is evident in the book’s esoteric and densely packed prose, which can feel a touch overwritten at times. This stylistic choice impedes the natural story flow and makes it a challenging read at times, though beneath the dense layers of text lies a glint of unique and exciting ideas.
The novel is stylistically different from the BRZRKR comics on which it is based, with a rather jarring, non-linear structure. Despite this, the world-building is profound, with pockets of poetic eloquence that keep readers engaged. The story demands your full attention, packed with subplots and subtexts that evoke philosophical questions about the necessity of death to give life meaning.
One of the novel’s biggest strengths is its artistic existentialism. B is deeply and achingly complex, neither a straightforward hero nor a villain. His yearning for connection and understanding is palpable, and the authors expertly convey B’s unique lived experience through narrative switches between first and third person, along with flashbacks that piece together an unknowable mystery.
The highlight of The Book of Elsewhere is undoubtedly the flashbacks to B’s past lives and experiences. These interludes offer a more focused insight into his character and provide vivid, intricate details that enrich the story. Given the hazy nature of the main narrative arc, these glimpses into B’s past help to colour his ambiguous heroism with complex shades, making him a more intriguing and empathetic figure.
However, the novel’s experimentation with weirdness may not appeal to all readers. The inclusion of elements like an immortal pig and B respawning from an egg adds to its trippy, otherworldly feel but can also alienate those who prefer more conventional storytelling.
Daring and creatively bold, The Book of Elsewhere works hard to challenge the boundaries of genre fiction. While its complex literary style and odd use of a structure may serve as a barrier for some, the depth of world-building and philosophical undertones make it an intriguing read, ideal for those looking to dip a tow in the world of weird fiction.
The Book of Elsewhere is out now
